February 8, 2021
- Paulist Associates gather online for ‘virtual’ Promises
- The way we were in 2020…and what will this year bring?
- National Board works hard to enrich Associates’ experience
- Paulist Associate News
- Looking for Input
- Upcoming Retreat of Interest
- Proposed Program for February
- Contacts
- Paulist Associates Promise
- Prayer for the Intercession of Fr. Isaac T. Hecker
By Fr. Mike Kallock, C.S.P., Director of the Paulist Associates
The Sunday January 24th virtual gathering topped at 103 separate online “rooms.” So, given that there were some couples and others in a room together, we had a good number of Associates and Paulists at the event.
We got off to a rocky start when the 30-minute video presentation malfunctioned. The video presentation was made available a few hours afterwards. I think, however, we made the most of the problem, as we continued right to the First Commitments and Renewals.
We received five new members in the virtual room. We first introduced Karen Kuehler who the day before made her First Commitment with Horseshoe Bay Associates. We then followed one-by-one with the First Commitments of Charlotte M. De Vera (Los Angeles) and Steve and Pat Macy (Austin).
The video glitch caused us to pass by Margaret Stichweh (Columbus). The video presentation was timed to end with Margaret saying she was looking forward to making her First Commitment at the gathering. (Note the picture of her actually taken from the Columbus video.) So, we can honestly say Margaret did in spirit make her first promise on the 24th
I was pleased that we were able to have several of you be featured on the screen, but also sorry that technically we could not have more of you do so.
Rae DelVecchio, Coordinator of our newest Vero Beach Associates, read the passage on the Gifts of Spirit from St. Paul. Lou Ceppi, Coordinator, Los Angeles, and Mary Susan Burnett of the Diaspora Group read from Father Hecker’s homily on St. Joseph. Paula Cuozzo, one of our first and foremost Boston Associates, renewed her Promises on behalf of all of you.
I was delighted that before the breakout rooms Paulist President Eric Andrews expressed his support, and Fr. Frank Desiderio, previous Director and First Consultor, told us about the Paulist National Virtual Retreat on Saturday, February 27. (There is more information about the retreat following in the Newsletter.)
There were 16 breakout rooms of about six people in each. Afterwards Board members Kathleen Murphy (Columbus) and David Rooney (Chicago and the Diaspora) reported on who and what was shared in their rooms. I got the impression from them that the breakout session was worthwhile.
Before the Closing Prayer, Denis Hurley (Boston) our Newsletter editor encouraged everyone to contribute content to the Newsletter. Fr Vinny McKiernan, then led us, as only he can, in a very meditative Our Father.
A word of Thanks to Paulist seminarian Dan Macalinao. We could not have pieced together the thirty-minute video presentation and the virtual gathering itself without his digital media technical assistance and guidance. Many kudos to Dan. Let us all pray that he continues to final profession and ordination as a Paulist.
There was much to like in the gathering. If I had to choose what most stood out for me in the Video presentation and in the live event itself, they would be:
Fr. Frank DeSiano’s excellent words early in the video on the origins and intended purpose of the Associates. He spoke of how the Associates came out of conversations in the Paulist community concerning our having left places and our awareness that we had left behind lay people who had associated with us and identified with us at some deep level. We had begun to recognize that we had focused Hecker’s vision and charism too much on ourselves, male celibate priests. Hecker’s vision, Fr. Frank said, was much broader than the priesthood and called for a variety of voices.
Fr. Frank went on to say, the founding of the Paulist Associates was a response to those who wanted to identify more closely with us, pray with and for us, and most of all incorporate in their own lives the Paulists’ charisms and mission. He ended by saying, “One of the great miracles of Fr. Hecker is the Associates.”
What I found most meaningful in the live event itself was the excerpt from Fr. Hecker’s homily on St. Joseph. I thought the selection expressed well Fr. Hecker’s broad vision of the mission of the Paulists and the laity’s role and place in it.
Fr. Hecker, I believe, is speaking to YOU when he preached:
Our age lives in its busy marts, in counting-rooms, in workshops, in homes and in the varied relations that form human society, and it is into these that sanctity is to be introduced. St. Joseph stands forth as an excellent and unsurpassed model of this type of perfection…
…This, then, is the field of conquest for the heroic Christian of our day. Out of the cares, toils, duties, afflictions, and responsibilities of daily life are to be built the pillars of sanctity of the Stylites of our age.
Hecker’s vision was broad and deep. His was a dream, not only of a missionary religious community, but also of lay people in their own unique lives, sharing their faith, evangelizing, and reconciling.
By Levita Anderson
We started 2020 with many hopes and dreams.
The Chicago Paulist Associates did their promise renewal on January 25th and later celebrated with dinner. The church had many events planned and, we were planning our monthly meetings. Then on March 12th our world changed. We had to stay home to stop the spread of the virus. Everything except for essential food stores, pharmacies, and other businesses were closed.
We had to learn new ways to communicate with each other, hold meetings, work from home, and even attend school virtually. Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Hopin, and Band became the new terms for virtual platforms. Churches started live streaming their services and if you missed the live stream, you could see it on You Tube.
This was our new world during the season of Lent in 2020. Yet, despite the pandemic,Old St. Mary’s celebrated virtually with Father Patrick Bergin, who was ordained on June 29th by Cardinal Cupich (Archbishop of Chicago) for the Archdiocese of Tabora, Tanzania. Fr. Patrick preached his first homily as a priest at Old St. Mary’s in July. He leaves in October for Tabora, Tanzania to begin his ministry. It was wonderful having him serve as a deacon in our parish during the last year. We celebrated with the Paulist Fathers in September with the online prayer service for those who had died from COVID 19. On November 17th.
Paulist President, Father Eric Andrews “came” to Chicago via Zoom, to meet with the Paulist Associates. For the Thanksgiving season, we enjoyed the Paulist Fathers’ Thanksgiving Parade of Gratitude on November 25th on the Paulist Fathers YouTube channel. It uplifted our spirits as we enjoyed the music, reflections, and prayers.
Thanks to Paulist Associate Jacqueline Toepfer who setup our Zoom meetings, we were still able to meet monthly. This gave us the opportunity to “see” each other since we could not come physically to our meetings or church. 2020 was the year of virtual celebrations, meetings, and services. As Paulist Associates, we quickly adapted to our new “normal.” Yet, we still missed the joy of being in-person and the ability to see parishioners, Fathers Stuart, PJ, and Brad every Sunday and at weekday Mass.
Then in September we were able to return to church following our city and state protocols. Those who were not able to come to Mass got to see it through live streaming, or like me, on YouTube. Watching Mass on my computer carried a sense of loss, but it also brought a new joy when I saw our beautiful decorated alter which gave me a sense of peace.
Yes, 2020 has been tough.
I have navigated more Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams meetings than I did when I went physically to various organizational meetings. Yet, I would not trade it for the world, because I still was able to see my friends and colleagues and keep myself and them safe.
Yet many people of faith have been struggling to understand why this is happening. Is God upset with us? Did we do something wrong? How can we cope with this uncertainty?
The answer to these and many other questions is that “This too shall pass.” How we grow and learn from this experience will strengthen our faith not only in God, but our neighbors and ourselves. I asked our Associates what did they learn during this pandemic? The answers were similar:
“Grateful for what I have when others do not.”
“Able to still be with family and friends through online chats, phone calls, and sending cards/letters.”
“If we have not lost our ability to love one another as we would love ourselves, our faith is strong.”
Yes, 2020 was a year of reckoning, not only for our country but for ourselves. I asked a final question to the associates, “What message do you want Paulist Associates to have as they prepare to end 2020 and began 2021?”
Jan Newman responded,
As we are slowly vaccinated and move out of this time of crisis, I hope to stay aware of and grateful to the people we have really noticed for the first time: the medical workers, the service providers, all the people behind the spotlight who keep us going. I am so sorry for any losses that you or your families may have experienced, and I hope that we can all embrace the joy that will come from returning to a more normal life.
For me, “If we truly follow Jesus’ teachings, and believe in Him, then this too will pass, and 2021 will begin a new hope of lessons yet to learn and our ability to absolutely love one another as we would ourselves.”
Have a Blessed 2021!
Levita Anderson is a Paulist Associate at Old St. Mary’s Church in Chicago and has been a frequent contributor to Associates World.
By Mary Sullivan
If you’re new to the Paulist Associates, you may not know that there is an actual National Board and, if you’ve been an Associate for a while, you may wonder from time to time why the Board exists and what it does.
The National Board is composed of the Paulist Director, at least one other Paulist, and four elected Paulist Associates. Elections for the Associate slots are held every other year, so that there is a healthy rotation, with two new Associates joining right after two Associates complete their terms. Currently, the Board is fortunate to have three Paulists serving.
Over the past few years, the Board initiated the development of the formation process by which individuals become Paulist Associates, including the creation of a handbook setting forth the requirements. This was a very important step for many reasons, including establishing credibility in these times when social media offers many platforms for misinformation. An individual who might identify publicly (and improperly) as a Paulist Associate and spread misinformation or any kind of harmful message could be legitimately disavowed.
The Board oversaw the first publication of the Associates World Newsletter and encourages its continuation as a polished and valuable method of communication, education and enjoyment. In addition, One of the Paulists also keeps the Board up to date on how many people avail themselves of the Facebook Group for Paulist Associates. (Didn’t know there was a Facebook Group? Check out Paulist.org and click on the “Ministries” link where you will see an additional link to the Paulist Associates — Paulist Associates Facebook page link).
Also, the Board begins the process of recruiting participants and speakers for the various regional and national retreats for Associates and, in this time of COVID, has tried to keep the various coordinators of the local groups in touch virtually. As time goes on, the Board will likely undertake new endeavors, always attentive to the Holy Spirit.
The Board meets monthly — in the past via conference call and recently via Zoom. Two seats on the Board become available in 2021. Maybe 2021 is the year for you to think (and pray) about running for election or encouraging another Associate to do so. It’s a chance to serve at a national level and get to know other Associates and Paulists who you may not know — or know well.
And, sometimes, that’s the best part.
Mary Sullivan is a Paulist Associate at Paulist Center Boston and is a member of the Associates National Board. Further information about the Board and its members is found on Page 12.
The Newsletter is published monthly, except January and July. The January monthly Program appears in the December issue, the July Program in the June issue. Articles should be submitted at least a week before the end of the month to appear in the new month.
Material for Associates World is always welcome. We would love to hear what is going on with your local organization. If you have material for the newsletter please contact Denis Hurley at [email protected].
The next Newsletter will be published in March.
Full details and registration at
paulist.org/retreat
During this global pandemic Lent can be your time of spiritual renewal. The Paulist Fathers are offering a two-hour retreat to reflect on what a Crisis Spirituality looks like. We look to the example of St. Paul as someone who persevered by trusting in God.
- Fr. Frank Desiderio, C.S.P. will tell the story of St. Paul’s shipwreck on the isle of Malta and how his trust in God got him through the hardships.
- Fr. Terry Ryan, C.S.P., a retreat leader and teacher of contemplative prayer, will talk about how you can get up after you hit bottom.
- Fr. Mark-David Janus, Paulist Press publisher and psychologist, will lead us through exercises to look at what is important in our lives and how we can move forward during a crisis.
There will be small group sharing and Q&A. A personalized Zoom link will be sent on February 26th. The last day to register is Thursday, February 25th.
The remaining Monthly Program of Paulist Patrons is as follows:
- March: Patrick – Rome
- April:— to be announced soon
At the end of an article I wrote for the September Issue of Associates World about my understanding of the Paulist Charism and why I have found it attractive, I asked for women Associates to provide their particular perspective on why association with an order of male priests was something they had chosen. We – the editors of Associates World – would still like to hear from women on this subject and to publish your thoughts in the November issue of the newsletter. Please think about it and consider providing some insight for all of us. Thanks.
— Denis Hurley, Co-editor.
Paulist Patron Alphonsus Liquori
Submitted by Mike Kallock, C.S.P., Paulist Associates Director
Opening Prayer:
O God, who constantly raises up in your Church
new examples of virtue,
grant that we may follow so closely in the footsteps
of the Bishop Saint Alphonsus in his zeal for souls
as to attain the same rewards that are his in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen
(The Opening Prayer for the Memorial of St Alphonsus Ligouri
Celebrated in the Church on August 1.)
Read in advance of meeting:
Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Founder of the Redemptorists
Alphonsus was born into a family of the Neapolitan nobility. He had a brilliant mind such that at the age of 16, he received a doctorate in both canon and civil law at the University of Naples. Though considered one of the most gifted lawyers in Naples, he found the life spiritually unfulfilling. He would then pursue the priesthood, being ordained at the age of 30.
He quickly became a popular preacher leading to an ever-widening circuit of mission tours. Wanting to focus on preaching God’s redeeming love in the form of parish missions to the rural poor and most abandoned, he founded the Redemptorists in 1732 for that very purpose.
Much can be said about Ligouri’s remarkable life. He resisted but eventually accepted being made a Bishop. He would write over 100 books, the most important being Moral Theology which went over 60 editions. It was groundbreaking in his challenge to the legalism of his day with his emphasis on compassion, moderation, and gentleness. He taught that the moral life was not about a legalistic adherence to the law but essentially about a life of love.
His Glories of Mary is still considered one of the great works on the subject and his Visits to the Blessed Sacrament went through 40 editions in his lifetime. At 71, Alphonsus would be afflicted with a painful rheumatic condition which caused an incurable bending of his neck. He suffered a final 18 months of “dark night” interspersed with intervals of light and ecstasies. He would live to age 90. He was canonized in 1839 and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1871. His Memorial in the Church Calendar is August 1 as Bishop and Doctor.
The Redemptorists influence on the First Paulists
Alphonsus Ligouri gave birth to the religious, missionary community, officially called the Congregation of the most Holy Redeemer (CSsR). Today there are over 5,000 members in over 78 countries. There are two provinces in the United States: Baltimore and Denver. There are three Redemptorists provinces in Canada.
In 1832, at the request of the American bishops, six Redemptorists from the Belgian province came from Europe as Missionaries to America. Their mission and community life would quickly attract Americans to join them. Five, in particular, all converts, were ordained as Redemptorists from 1848-1856. In order of ordination, they were Augustine Hewit , Clarence Walworth, Isaac Hecker, George Deshon, and Francis Baker. These five, centered on Fr. Hecker, are often referred to now as the founders of the Paulists.
Our Paulist historian, Paul Robichauld writes,
The Paulist founders were all trained as Redemptorists; therefore, their fundamental formation for mission was Redemptorist in origin. The spiritual writings of Alphonsus Liguori and his manual for missions were a part of their seminary formation. From 1851 with the first English-speaking mission band, until the Vatican decision to allow separation in 1858, Redemptorist history was Paulist history. The origins of the Paulists are found in the beginnings of the Redemptorist preaching ministry in America.
Hecker’s vision to distinctively evangelize Protestant America, and not primarily do missions renewing the faith of Catholics in their local churches, would of course, lead to the break of Hecker and the other four, from the Redemptorists and the founding of the Paulist Fathers.
Let us not forget, however, Hecker was formed and ordained as a Redemptorist. He was a Redemptorist priest for seven years, did many missions as a Redemptorist, and published Aspirations of Nature and Questions of the Soul as a Redemptorist.
How much of an influence did Alphonsus Liguori and the Redemptorists have on Fr Hecker and the Paulists? Simply put, a lot. When, we Paulists, wrote our first Constitution in 1874, we would pick seven Patrons. One of the very first named would be Alphonsus Liguori.
Discussion Questions to Share in Your Group:
1. Here are five famous quotations from the spiritual writings of Alphonsus Liguori. Pick the one you like the most and tell why to the group.
• He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things.
• The past is no longer yours; the future is not yet in your power. You have only the present wherein to do good.
• God is ever beside you — indeed, He is even within you.
• When we see a beautiful object, a beautiful garden, or a beautiful flower, let us think that there we behold a ray of the infinite beauty of God, who has given existence to that object.
• Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends.
2. In the Closing Prayer You Are Fire, Liguori describes the Holy Spirit with 12 different words. Pick you top two and briefly tell the group why you chose them.
News/Announcements/Prayers for Others:
The March Program will be by our Rome Associates on St Patrick . It will complete all 15 of our Paulist Patrons.
Closing Prayer:
YOU ARE FIRE
You are Fire; enkindle in me your love.
You are Light; enlighten my mind with the knowledge of eternal things.
You are the Dove; give me innocence of life.
You are the gentle Breeze; disperse the storms of my passions.
You are the Tongue; teach me how to bless you always.
You are the Cloud; shelter me under the shadow of your protection.
And lastly, you are the Giver of all heavenly gifts;
animate me, I beseech you, with your Grace;
sanctify me with your Charity;
enlighten me with your Wisdom;
adopt me by your Goodness as your child,
and save me in your infinite Mercy;
so that I may ever bless you, praise you, and love you;
first during this life on earth,
and then in heaven for all eternity.
Amen.St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit
PAULIST ASSOCIATES NATIONAL DIRECTOR
- Mike Kallock, C.S.P.
Paulist General Office, P.O. Box 20606, New York, NY 10023, [email protected]
BOARD MEMBERS
- Carol Wagner Williams, Tucson, AZ: [email protected]
- Frank Desiderio, C.S.P. : [email protected]
- Katherine Murphy Mertzlufft, Columbus, OH: [email protected]
- Joe Scott, C.S.P. : [email protected]
- David Rooney, Chicago, IL: [email protected]
- Mary Sullivan, Boston, MA: [email protected]
ASSOCIATES WORLD STAFF
- Publisher: Fr. Mike Kallock, C.S.P.
- Editor: Denis M. Hurley
- Design Coordinator: Ellie Murphy
Heavenly Father, you called your servant Isaac Thomas Hecker to preach the Gospel to the people of North America and through his teaching, to know the peace and the power of your indwelling Spirit. He walked in the footsteps of Saint Paul the Apostle, and like Paul spoke your Word with a zeal for souls and a burning love for all who came to him in need.
Look upon us this day, with compassion and hope. Hear our prayer. We ask that through the intercession of Father Hecker your servant, you might grant us (state the request).
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever. Amen.
When you pray this prayer, and if you believe that you have received any favors through Hecker’s intercession, please contact the Office of the Cause for Canonization of Servant of God, Isaac Hecker at [email protected]. Visit isaachecker.org to learn more about his life and the cause for his canonization.
I believe that I am drawn by the Holy Spirit to the spirituality and qualities of the Paulist Community.
I have discerned both by prayer and study that God calls me to become associated with the Paulists.
I promise that I will pray for the works of the Paulist Society, meet with others, who are also members of the Paulist Associates, for spiritual sharing and formation; and I seek to embody the apostolic qualities of the Paulists in my daily life.
Attentive to the Holy Spirit and faithful to the example of St. Paul and the charism of Father Isaac Hecker, I commit myself for one year of membership in the Paulist Associates.